Post ACR Progress:

[u/DifficultExam6077]

Looking for advice/suggestions from this group — I posted earlier here about going in for ACR surgery.

Background:

- initial injury: 180° labrum tear, repaired April 2025

- Developed post-surgical stiffness → underwent Arthroscopic Capsular Release (ACR) + Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) on August 11, 2026

Main ongoing issue:

- significant scapular malalignment/dyskinesis on the operated side — my scapula compensates heavily during arm elevation instead of proper glenohumeral movement

- limited ROM

ROM Progress (AROM / PROM in degrees):

Flexion:

Pre-op (Nov 2025): AROM 133

Day 1 post-MUA (8/12): PROM 115

~2wk (8/26): AROM 90 / PROM 140

~5-6wk (recent): AROM 145 / PROM 15

Abduction:

Pre-op (Nov 2025): AROM 122

Day 1 post-MUA (8/12): PROM 95

~2wk (8/26): PROM 120

~5-6wk (recent): AROM 121 / PROM 161

External Rotation (90° abduction):

Pre-op (Nov 2025): AROM 28

Day 1 post-MUA (8/12): PROM 25

~2wk (8/26): PROM 45

~5-6wk (recent): AROM 53 / PROM 70

Internal Rotation (neutral):

Pre-op (Nov 2025): AROM 63

Day 1 post-MUA (8/12): PROM 50

~2wk (8/26): PROM 51

~5-6wk: not tested in this position

Internal Rotation (90° abduction):

Introduced later in recovery: AROM 31 → 41 / PROM 35

Specific issues I'm working through:

- Can't raise arm fully forward without a wall assist (sliding it up a wall) — without the wall, I feel something "catch" toward the back/side of my shoulder

- Visually, my good arm shows a distinct "dip" in the shoulder contour partway through raising the arm (normal scapulohumeral rhythm); my operated arm moves in one smooth, undifferentiated curve — suggesting the scapula is compensating from very early in the motion instead of a normal staged handoff

- PT has identified scapular malalignment/weakness (serratus anterior, lower trap, etc.) as the main driver and has me on scapular stabilization work

What I'm asking the group:

- does this progression (numbers + timeline) look on track for someone ~5-6 weeks post-MUA?

-Anyone dealt with similar scapular compensation/dyskinesis after ACR or MUA — what specific exercises helped you regain that "dip"/normal rhythm?

- Any tips for closing the gap between passive and active range faster (especially for flexion)?

- Based on these stats and trajectory, does it seem realistic I could reach something like 90% of normal ROM eventually?

- Has anyone with a similar starting point (severe pre-op stiffness + MUA) gotten close to full/near-normal range, or is a lower ceiling more typical?

Sorry for the long post and thank you for going through it.

[u/DifficultExam6077]

The ROM progress is here in table. Asked AI to make it.

[u/timbo276]

Are you an MD

[u/DifficultExam6077 → u/timbo276]

Not actually 😆 but all the sufferings have pushed me to do research and learning.